To Mr Carlo Vespignani, Faenza

E V, 2510

Full support for a project in favour of young people at risk – has asked Msgr Cavina to accept the role of decurion of the Cooperators

Turin, 11 April 1877

Mr Carlo my dear friend,

In matters that benefit youth at risk or serve to win souls for God, I rush forward even to the point of recklessness.

Therefore, regarding your plan to start something that would benefit poor and endangered children, to rescue them from the dangers of being sent to prison, and to make them good citizens and good Christians, this is the goal we set ourselves.

So you should prepare the ground and the harvest, and I will be happy to take a trip and meet in person and thank so many confreres who, before knowing me personally, already show me great charity.

I followed your advice and asked Fr Carlo Cavina to agree to act as Salesian Decurion, thus enabling us to have a centre. Please get in touch with him regarding our matters.

Fr Giuseppe [his brother priest, a Salesian for a few months in Valdocco and future missionary] sends 25 Cooperator certificates and we will send more when needed. You invited me to start the dance; I accepted the invitation, but we must do everything in our power and make every sacrifice to see it through to the end.

Let it be understood that if we want to move forward, we must never speak of politics, either for or against; our programme is to do good for poor children. The things connected with this principle will be suggested by God and guided step by step as necessary.

I will not forget the other things you wrote to me and will make them the subject of another letter.

May God bless your family, both small and large. Please give our collaborators your respectful regards and tell them all that I willingly commend them to God every day in Holy Mass, and that I commend myself to their prayers.

May the grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be always with us. Amen.

Your affectionate servant and friend

Fr John Bosco